Cleveland Browns’ Surprise Selection of Shedeur Sanders: A New Era in the Making
The Cleveland Browns made a shocking move in the 2025 NFL draft, trading their 166th and 192nd picks to the Seattle Seahawks to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the 144th overall choice. This pick marked the end of a remarkable free fall for Sanders, who was once regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the class, but ultimately fell to the fifth round.
According to ESPN, the Browns spent extensive time with Sanders through the pre-draft process, with a large contingent of coaches, executives, and the ownership group traveling to Boulder, Colorado, to have dinner with him and former teammate Travis Hunter the night before their pro day workout. As ESPN notes, Sanders’ arrival comes at a critical juncture for the Browns’ franchise, particularly in light of the team’s 2022 trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson, which has been widely regarded as a failure.
The Browns’ decision to select Sanders was driven by a desire to maximize value with a pick at the game’s most important position. General manager Andrew Berry acknowledged that he didn’t enter the draft expecting to take two quarterbacks but was flexible as it unfolded. As reported by ESPN, Berry noted that once it got to a point where it felt like it was a pretty steep discount, they just felt like, especially relative to the alternative ways that they could use this selection, this made the most sense.
The selection of Sanders has sparked debate around the league, with many questioning what led to his slide. According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, teams had a problem with Sanders and all that encompasses his draft profile. Sanders’ lack of top-end talent left him without an NFL home after Day 1, and the slide out of Day 2 is harder to explain. As ESPN notes, it appears that teams had concerns about Sanders’ presence being a distraction, and his ability at the next level wasn’t intoxicating enough to offset all of that.
Despite the slide, many evaluators graded Sanders as a Day 2 pick, and some even considered him a late first-rounder. The Browns are seen as a good spot for Sanders, as they are a team without an unquestioned starter. As ESPN draft analyst Steve Muench notes, Sanders is physically and mentally tough, and he takes big hits to make plays and can elevate his game in critical situations.
In terms of playing time, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said that anyone who is added to the quarterback room will be expected to compete for starting time. Sanders enters a four-man race with an experienced veteran in Joe Flacco, a former first-round pick in Kenny Pickett, and another rookie adjusting to the pros in Dillon Gabriel. As ESPN reports, the Browns are rebuilding their scheme with a quartet of new passers, although Flacco has familiarity with Stefanski from his stint late in the 2023 season.
The selection of Sanders also raises questions about the future of Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. The Browns have said Watson’s health status makes his future uncertain, and there are two more years remaining on his five-year contract. However, the team has been operating as if he will not be available for the 2025 season, and its recent moves highlight an attempt to move on at the quarterback position. As ESPN notes, releasing Watson after the 2025 season with a post-June-1 designation would leave the Browns with a $135 million dead cap charge that could be split between the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
For Stefanski and Berry, figuring out the QB situation is paramount. When they arrived in 2020, the duo inherited quarterback Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, and developed him into a quality starter who helped break the franchise’s 17-year playoff win drought. However, the relationship with the organization soured, which led them to trade for Watson. As ESPN reports, Berry and Stefanski were given extensions last offseason for guiding Cleveland to the playoffs twice in four years, and Haslam preached confidence in them despite a 3-14 finish last season.
Ultimately, the Browns’ selection of Shedeur Sanders marks a new era in the making, with the team hoping to find a franchise quarterback and turn its fortunes around. As ESPN notes, Sanders has the potential to thrive in Stefanski’s offense, particularly with his ability to throw receivers open and make off-platform throws. With a strong arm and the ability to scramble for first downs, Sanders could be the key to unlocking the Browns’ future success.
The information used in this article is courtesy of ESPN and can be found at
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